WORSHIPPERS could soon be flocking to a new Redcar church after it was granted planning permission against officers’ advice.

Parking concerns prompted planners to recommend refusal of permission for the new church.

The New Life Church wants to build a place of worship and community rooms on land at the junction of West Dyke Road and Grosmont Close.

A permanent base has been sought since the old Wilton Street mission was demolished in 1998 to make way for a shopping scheme.

The new church is expected to cost in the region of £700,000.

Some of the money will come from a compensation settlement resulting from the 1998 compulsory purchase order.

Without a home since then, the congregation has been using various meeting places in Redcar, including their current venue, the Claxton Hotel.

While the design of the new church was accepted by planners, the proposed parking arrangements prompted them to recommend refusal.

A report to councillors said there should be 43 parking spaces for a building with a 253-seat hall, not 17 as proposed on the plans.

But councillors voted 10-3 in favour after hearing about the church’s parking plans.

Committee chairman Councillor Brian Hogg said: “Members felt it was a really worthwhile community facility for the area.

“The recommendation to refuse on parking grounds was not accepted by members, who were told that the church had come up with travel plan arrangements on a Sunday, with permission for the congregation to also use the nearby Aldi store and day centre.”

Delighted New Life Church pastor Cliff Henderson said they were “very thankful” the plans had been passed.

He added: “After 10 years, we finally seem as though we’re coming to the end of a long road.

He’s hopeful building work can start soon, with a finish date perhaps by the end of the year.

He added: “Our desire will be to reach out into the community. We want to put things on people can get involved in - we won’t just be church on a Sunday.”